Over the last few seasons, the Ohio State defense has been one of, if not the best, in college football. When the Buckeyes brought in Matt Patricia, it was met with nearly universal jeers. Then, Ohio State fielded the nation’s best scoring, passing, and total defense. Additionally, the run defense was seventh-best. Needless to say, Patricia’s hire worked out.
Now, he has the challenge of, yet again, replacing the majority of his defense. To make things harder, three of those defenders could be taken with the first 10 picks of this month’s NFL Draft, with one more taken later in the first round. There are some massive shoes to fill, so who is going to step up?
The Buckeyes’ Spring Game kicks off this Saturday. The offense will hold plenty of attention, but how Patricia finds this fall’s unit will be something to watch.
Storylines to Watch on Defense for Ohio State’s 2026 Spring Game
EDGE Rotation
Just as the receivers are planning on utilizing more rotation, Larry Johnson mentioned that the EDGE room will have more players getting playing time. Last year, Ohio State had three defensive ends with over 200 snaps. Only one of those three is gone, so where will those snaps go?
The one expecting to lead the way is Kenyatta Jackson Jr. After switching to the number two jersey and returning for his final season of eligibility, Jackson is primed to take that final step. The Buckeyes did bring in Qua Russaw from the portal. In no time at all, Russaw acclimated himself to the program by losing his black stripe. With them, the other veteran, Beau Atkinson, stuck with it instead of transferring out. Those three veterans should be expected to lead the way and shoulder most of the work.
However, behind them, there are two second-year players impressing coaches. Zion Grady earned the fourth-most snaps among EDGE players last year with 104. Jackson mentioned that Grady has been taking the offseason strength and conditioning seriously, and he has all the tools to break out this year. Along with Grady, Epi Sitanilei caught Johnson’s eye. The redshirt freshman only managed one tackle last year on 17 snaps. On Wednesday, Johnson said that both Grady and Sitanilei are both going to factor in moving forward.
Finally, the wild card is true freshman freak of nature, Khary Wilder. True freshmen are not supposed to look like Wilder. With the Spring Game going live after a brief “thud” period, Wilder has a chance to turn heads against the offensive line depth.
How to Replace Caleb Downs?
Unfortunately, replacing a player of Caleb Downs‘ caliber is no easy task. As a result, the Buckeyes went out and got two safeties through the portal.
Returning is Jaylen McClain, and he should have command of the room. Last year, starting opposite Downs, McClain amassed 53 tackles and three pass breakups. He’s embracing his role as the leader in the room and is stepping up as the vocal leader. With him, Leroy Roker has been stepping up this spring for the Buckeyes secondary. Coming into the spring as an underrated piece, Roker has been pressing to be one of the top three safeties in the room.
The transfer who will likely immediately step in as the other starting safety is Earl Little Jr. A grizzled veteran, Little has been around the block a few times. He was part of the 2022 recruiting class, spent two seasons at Alabama, then played the last two seasons at Florida State. In his time, Little totalled 93 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. If there is going to be someone to “replace” Downs this year, it’ll be Little.
That is, until Blaine Bradford is ready to step up. The true freshman may not challenge for playing time this season, but he looks like the future at the position. He will have an opportunity to give a glimpse of the future on Saturday.
BIA Reloaded
Ohio State’s cornerback room should be as polished as any, given how difficult its daily opponents are. Having to cover that receiver room has this cornerback room under a microscope at all times.
In the Spring Game, the corners may luck out and not have to cover Jeremiah Smith for very long. However, the rest of the room has looked solid this spring. At the top of the room is Devin Sanchez, the former five-star recruit from the 2025 class. Last year, Sanchez was thrust into action in high-leverage situations. He had the third-most snaps among corners, and this year, he’s jockeying for much more. He’s aiming for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. could have gone to the NFL, but he came back to take on the CB2 role opposite of Sanchez. There isn’t another player on the defense with as much experience as Mathews, but he’s been primarily the slot corner. This year, it’ll be different.
Behind those two, it’ll be a battle. Transfers Cam Calhoun and Dominick Kelly, along with true freshmen Jay Timmons and Jordan Thomas, are going to be fun to watch.
Bottom Line on the Ohio State Spring Game
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Last Matchup: Scarlet (offense) won, 50-31 in 2025
Date and Time: April 18, 12:00 PM ET
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
